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Rad Salaries Lag Inflation | AI Regulation Changes?
November 14, 2024
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Together with
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“The question is no longer if, but how and when AI will be fully integrated into the routine practice of breast radiology.”
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AI expert Kicky van Leeuwen on clinical use of breast radiology AI.
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A new study in JACR confirms what many radiologists have suspected: salary growth for private-practice radiologists has lagged inflation over the last 10 years. While there were a few bright spots, the study mostly shows that radiologists are working harder for less pay.
Radiology has long been one of the better-compensated medical specialties, often landing in the top 10 of disciplines with the highest average annual compensation.
- But radiology has also been a target for reimbursement cuts by the U.S. government as it tries to shift more Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care practitioners.
As a result, previous studies have found that payments per Medicare beneficiary in radiology have actually declined.
- And another 2.83% cut is on the docket for 2025 unless Congress steps in before the end of the current legislative session to prevent cuts in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
The new study analyzes radiologist compensation based on MGMA salary survey data from 2014 to 2023.
- Researchers compared salaries for both diagnostic and interventional radiologists, and also between private-practice and academic radiologists.
Based on the data, they found …
- Diagnostic radiologists saw median total compensation grow over the survey period, but at a faster rate for academic radiologists (32% vs. 18%).
- Academic radiologists enjoyed faster annualized salary growth (3.2% vs. 1.9%) and had an edge after adjustment for inflation (+0.3% vs. -1%).
- Work RVUs (a measure of productivity) also grew but at a slightly higher rate for academic radiologists (21% vs. 20%).
- Interventional radiologists saw higher salary growth for both non-academic and academic physicians (41% and 35%).
The findings indicate that the traditional salary gap between private-practice and academic radiologists may be narrowing.
- The growth in wRVUs in a time of stagnant or declining salaries after inflation adjustment may confirm the suspicions of both types of radiologists: that they are working harder for less pay.
The Takeaway
The findings could be a gut punch for private-practice diagnostic radiologists, who are finding that their salary gains aren’t keeping pace with inflation (sound familiar?). They also suggest that academic radiology could offer a refuge from the market and government forces that are reshaping the private sector.
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Digital Tools for Heart Failure
Clinicians have a growing array of digital tools for assessing patients with suspected heart failure. A new review article in Lancet Digital Health takes stock of some of the options, including echo AI tools like those from Us2.ai.
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Leading Radiology Forward at RSNA 2024
DeepHealth is leading radiology forward through AI-powered informatics and smart technology. Book a meeting today at RSNA 2024 booth #1340 to learn how they can help you achieve increased staff productivity and a better experience for patients and staff.
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- AI Regulation Changes Loom? What changes can the AI industry expect from the incoming Trump Administration? A new analysis from PricewaterhouseCoopers breaks it down, noting that one major priority will be to “shift AI oversight to focus more on self-governance,” which could affect the FDA’s developing initiative on how it regulates AI. Sure to be on the chopping block is the Biden Administration’s 2023 executive order on AI, which included a number of directives for regulating AI in healthcare.
- X-Ray for Early Lung Cancer Detection: Is it time to embrace X-ray for early lung cancer detection? This Imaging Wire article from Qure.ai examines how artificial intelligence can boost chest X-ray’s value to radiologists by helping them screen patients for disease when they’re getting an unrelated medical exam – the definition of opportunistic screening. For example, AI can analyze chest radiographs and flag abnormalities for a radiologist’s attention – possibly helping compensate for low levels of CT lung cancer screening in many countries.
- Mach7 Launches UnityVue: Mach7 Technologies and NewVue have collaborated with the launch of UnityVue, a new AI-based radiology workflow platform. The solution combines Mach7’s eUnity diagnostic viewer with NewVue’s EmpowerSuite workflow orchestrator into a new cloud-based offering that integrates image viewing with worklist management. UnityVue can also dynamically curate worklists and automate data normalization in a single user interface.
- Alliance Targets RT Training: A collaboration between GE HealthCare and staffing firm AMN Healthcare targets the ongoing radiologic technologist shortage. AMN provides technologists to healthcare providers on a travel and contract basis, and the new alliance will ensure that AMN’s RTs will have access to training on GE medical imaging equipment to help them quickly integrate into new clinical settings. Imaging providers have been struggling with a major shortage of RTs in recent years.
- GE Dedicated Brain MRI Cleared: In other GE HealthCare news, the company’s Signa Magnus 3T brain scanner received FDA clearance. GE introduced the scanner at ISMRM 2024 as a head-only scanner that’s optimized for neuroscience research, with an asymmetrical gradient coil design that improves patient access by shifting the gradient isocenter to the patient edge of the coil rather than its geometric center. This enables Magnus to achieve gradient amplitude and slew rate performance much higher than conventional MRI scanners.
- Batch Reading’s Breast Imaging Bump: Radiologists who reviewed DBT breast screening exams in batch reading sessions saw performance improve in a new study in Radiology. Researchers looked at performance of 15 radiologists who read 122k mammograms, finding that false-positive rates fell from the first exam in a batch compared to rates after three subsequent exams had been read (16% to 11%); interpretation times dropped (2.8 to 2.2 minutes for normal exams) with no difference in sensitivity. Cases should be read in batches of four to 10 exams.
- Visage to Highlight Updates at RSNA: Visage Imaging is planning to show a range of updates to its Visage 7 cloud-based PACS software at RSNA 2024. The company has added new functionality to Visage 7, including an optional chat module, QC tickets that enable radiologists to file tickets on exam quality for technologists, new features for the Visage 7 | Cardiology Imaging solution, and Vision Ease for Apple Vision Pro headsets. The company notes that 100% of its PACS installations over the past four years have been cloud-based.
- How Is AI Changing Breast Imaging? Breast imaging is one of the areas of radiology where AI is making the biggest impact. So says AI expert Kicky van Leeuwen in a new blog post on Health AI Register. Van Leeuwen surveys the landscape of commercially available breast AI algorithms, noting that while market consolidation is occurring (such as DeepHealth’s Kheiron acquisition and Lunit’s Volpara buy), the segment’s future “looks promising” as the first real-world results come in, like those of the MASAI study.
- Riverain Lands New Installs: Riverain Technologies has landed a series of new installations for its ClearRead CT technology. Eisenhower Imaging Center in California is deploying ClearRead CT to suppress blood vessels that could obstruct pathology, and is offering the solution at its six locations for every adult chest CT scan, including lung screening exams for eligible patients. In other news, Riverain continued its success with the VA health network, installing ClearRead CT at over a dozen VA hospitals, where it is also being used for lung screening.
- Philips Spectral CT Clearance: Philips received FDA clearance for Spectral CT 7500 RT, a new version of its Spectral CT 7500 platform that’s optimized to provide 4D CT respiratory-gated imaging for radiation therapy planning. The scanner integrates spectral CT’s ability to provide tumor visualization and tissue characterization into cancer treatment and planning, helping radiation oncologists better target tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The system also acquires both conventional CT and spectral CT data in a single scan, speeding up workflow.
- deepc Moves AI Platform into Israel: AI platform company deepc is moving into the Israeli market through a distribution relationship with K2Ai, which will sell the deepcOS platform in the country. Healthcare providers in Israel will gain access to over 70 AI algorithms available on deepcOS in a vendor-neutral ecosystem that can be integrated into their workflows. deepc has been expanding aggressively into new global markets, including Mexico, Spain and Portugal, and Scandinavia.
- Blackford Adds DeepTek: Blackford is bolstering the chest X-ray AI offerings available on its Blackford Platform through a new alliance with DeepTek. Blackford will make DeepTek’s CXR Analyzer algorithm available on Platform, improving radiologists’ detection of abnormalities on chest radiographs. CXR Analyzer uses the entire lung, pleura, and cardiac regions as part of its analysis to identify suspicious cases and send results back to PACS with key findings highlighted with color-coded bounding boxes.
- Densitas Launches Risk Software: Breast radiology software developer Densitas has added a breast cancer risk calculator to its portfolio. The company’s intelliRisk solution complements its intelliMammo and intelliMaven offerings and provides a tool for calculating a woman’s breast cancer risk and identifying high-risk patients who might need additional screening. intelliRisk is available as a standalone web application or integrated with EHR systems.
- New iCAD DBT Software Cleared: iCAD received FDA clearance for version 4.0 of its ProFound Detection software for DBT mammography exams. The new version features better cancer detection and specificity, with 6.3% higher AUC compared to the previous version. It also includes an option to incorporate a prior mammography exam into the current exam’s analysis.
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Say Goodbye to On-Premises Costs
Free up resources with cloud-based solutions from Optum for medical imaging. Visit this page to see how you can say goodbye to on-premises costs!
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Stop Shipping Discs!
By pivoting to a 100% digital fulfillment model for patient images and records, you can improve their experience while significantly reducing labor and shipping costs. Find out how on this page from Clearpath.
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Book an RSNA Meeting with CARPL
Explore radiology AI like never before by booking a meeting with CARPL at RSNA 2024, or drop by booth #5733 to tune in to any of seven research presentations across the show.
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- Groundbreaking Innovations at RSNA 2024: Visit AGFA HealthCare at RSNA 2024 to learn about groundbreaking new enterprise imaging innovations. Drop by booth #2565 to see for yourself how to elevate productivity and efficiency while facilitating growth and collaboration across universal imaging ecosystems.
- A Sneak Peak at Intelerad for RSNA 2024: Join Intelerad for a webinar at 1 pm ET on November 19 to get a sneak peek at what they’ll be highlighting at RSNA 2024. Company executives will explore the transformative impact of AI and cloud technology on radiology.
- Clearer MRI for Alzheimer’s Disease: Clinicians and patients are encouraged by new drugs available to slow or reduce cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn how 30% faster MRI scans and clearer images enabled by SpinTech MRI’s STAGE software can help address imaging challenges.
- Discover the Power of an AI Ecosystem: Get the insights you need to fuel your AI strategy in the Bayer Visionary Theater at RSNA 2024. Preview the theater sessions today and plan to attend at booth #2514 – and don’t forget to experience the Tunnel of Innovation!
- Meet with Medality at RSNA 2024: Book a visit with Medality at RSNA 2024 or swing by their booth #3140 to see how they are at the forefront of practice growth and training in radiology.
- Meet Merge at RSNA 2024: Merge is looking forward to sharing a wide range of news, innovations, and updates at RSNA 2024. Join them at booth #6100 to explore how their imaging solutions put your workspaces, clinicians, and transformation into focus.
- Connect with United Imaging at RSNA 2024: United Imaging will be celebrating the theme of Building Intelligent Connections at RSNA 2024. Come visit the company at booth #1929 to learn about their imaging solutions and how they connect to United’s mission of Equal Healthcare for All.
- AI for Detecting Fractures on X-Rays: Missed fractures occur all too frequently and are a significant cause of patient morbidity. Learn how U.K. researchers in the FRACT-AI study are using Gleamer’s BoneView algorithm to discover how AI can help radiologists improve their diagnostic accuracy for fracture detection on X-rays.
- Request an RSNA Meeting with TeraRecon: RSNA 2024 will be here before you know it. Come explore TeraRecon’s latest updates and find out why the company is an award-winning solution provider for AI-empowered radiology, oncology, cardiology, neurology, and vascular surgery.
- Discover Prenuvo at RSNA 2024: Discover how Prenuvo is advancing research and redefining the future of healthcare at booth #1239 at RSNA 2024. Learn about their cutting-edge MRI technology first-hand and explore partnership opportunities.
- Get Your Head Around AI for Neuroradiology: Check out the latest blog from Blackford on how advances in deep learning algorithms for neurology imaging are improving outcomes and easing the burden on radiologists.
- Book an RSNA Meeting with Riverain: Riverain’s ClearRead technology with Clear Visual Intelligence can improve your ability to detect lung cancer with either CT or X-ray. Book at meeting with them at RSNA 2024 or drop by for a visit at booth #4523.
- Connecting Patients to Exceptional Care: Mach7 Technologies’ enterprise imaging solutions connect patients and clinicians across the globe to enable exceptional care. As modern healthcare evolves, so should your strategies. Schedule a demo at RSNA 2024 or stop by booth #3953 to learn more.
- Come See Enlitic at RSNA 2024: Visit Enlitic at RSNA 2024 at booth #4365 to learn how the company is revolutionizing radiology with its data standardization solutions, including data migration technology through its acquisition of Laitek. Book a demo today.
- Learn to Improve Interoperability and Patient Engagement: Join industry leaders at RSNA for a Lunch & Learn hosted by PocketHealth where they’ll share real-world strategies for enhancing patient engagement, tackling interoperability challenges, and reducing costs despite budget and staffing constraints. RSVP required!
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